Wayward Journey

A silence ensued as a new kind of tension began to develop between the two. Naomi pulled her knees up to her chest and Daryl drove in silence, each giving off occasional glances in the others direction throughout the drive. As they arrived at the C.D.C Daryl pulled the truck up behind the RV slowing it to a stop before shutting it off and climbing out slowly. 

Naomi hopped out of the truck and let the door close, feeling Shane storming up towards them just as Daryl went to move towards the group. Shane's face held a sour expression in Daryl's direction as his hand waved slightly. "Why the hell did you two stop back there?" 

Daryl allowed his shoulders to rise in a brief shrug before walking towards the group, barely even mumbling a gruff "Don't worry about it." He went off closer to the others only to find Rick talking to a camera that resided in the upper corner attached to the building.

Naomi stayed where she was with her arms wrapped loosely around her torso. Shane glanced down at her before shaking his head and going to talk down Rick. Carefully Naomi moved herself closer, coming up behind a woman with grey hair and soft eyes she'd come to know as Carol. "What's going on?" Naomi's voice was soft as she glanced down at Carol's daughter Sophia.

"No one is opening the door.." Carol's voice was saddened by this fact as Rick screamed helplessly into the camera, pleading with whoever may be watching them to open the doors and let them come in. 

Shane pulled Rick away from the Camera, explaining to him that they needed to leave as walkers began making their way towards the group. There was a certain hopelessness as Shane pushed everyone back towards their vehicles; there was no way they would make it to Fort Bennings without losing people, everyone knew that. The sadness began to loom over their shoulders until a loud and mechanical noise sounded behind them. The doors were opening. 

Immediately, all eyes shifted onto the doors and they all herded into the building cautiously. Once inside there was a blonde man with a large shotgun pointing in their direction. "Any of you infected?" His blue eyes held an erratic curiosity to them as he stared them down.

Rick stayed standing in the front, presenting himself as the leader. His hands were held up carefully and he shook his head. "They're no longer with us." Rick's voice was quiet as he let his gaze fall over the stressful faces of those around him.

The man lowered the gun slowly, eyes scanning each and every face that stood in his building. His eyes paused briefly over the children before looking back to Rick. "What do you want?"

Rick's voice was pleading, a slight crack was heard in his tone as he moved his hands down to his side, resting one on top of Carl's head as he thought over his choice of words carefully. "A chance." His gaze was brokenly resting on the man's face as he stood there; hoping, praying, for the once chance that would change this groups life.

"That's asking an awful lot these days." The man let off a slow sigh, his eyes once again landing on the two kids before pushing a hand through strawberry blonde hair. "You'll all submit to blood tests, that's the price of admission.." He confirmed, watching everyone nod their heads in agreement. "You all got stuff to bring in, you do it now. Once those doors are locked they aren't opening again."

Rick nodded quickly, walking over and holding out his hand. "Rick Grimes." He confirmed, relaxing as he felt the other place his hand against his own. The two shook hands as he learned that the man's name was Dr. Edwin Jenner, and he thanked him for giving them the chance they so desperately needed.

Several trips were made out to the RV and the other vehicles, everyone carried their own weight and helped with those who had more things. It was true, no matter where you are or what situation you were in, you'd always end up accumulating needless things. Everything was brought into the building, and Naomi had on her pack, bow, and quiver as well as her assortment of knives now hiding throughout the folds of her clothing. She felt better knowing she could defend herself properly if she needed to. 

Their gear was packed onto them tightly so they could carry it to wherever he would take them, and the man spoke out to thin air. "Vi, lock the main entrance and kill the power to the main floor." Suddenly the noises began, and a mechanical voice repeated the action Jenner had just instructed before the lights began shutting off. 

Jenner walked them towards an elevator and once everyone packed themselves into the small mechanical box it got quiet. The silence was only slightly awkward as Naomi attempted to look around over Daryl's shoulder. She had ended up in the back corner with Daryl directly in front of her, it was then that she realized just how tall he was in comparison to her and a pout rose on her lips. Giving up on attempting to see, she shifted and brushed Daryl's side with her arm. His entire frame tensed as he looked over his shoulder to see who was behind him, and he gave off a slight grunt when he realized it was the small beast.